Search form

Concerned faculty speak out against cuts to the College of the North Atlantic

“We believe that this letter from concerned faculty contains a number of compelling arguments against the cuts to CNA as well as the privatization of ABE." - Carol Furlong, NAPE President.

St. John's (25 April 2013) – The Newfoundland and Labrador Association of Public and Private Employees (NAPE/NUPGE) has forwarded a letter to Premier Kathy Dunderdale on behalf of concerned faculty at the College of the North Atlantic (CNA).

The letter, authored by concerned CNA faculty members from across the province, outlines the group’s concerns regarding the cuts to CNA as well as the proposed privatization of the Adult Basic Education Program (ABE).

Premier must stand by statements to hear arguments

“The Premier has said on numerous occasions that she is open to reviewing budget cuts and layoffs if ‘compelling arguments’ are formally brought to her attention,” stated NAPE President Carol Furlong.

“We firmly believe that this letter from concerned faculty - employees on the front line of our public post-secondary education system - contains a number of compelling arguments against the cuts to CNA as well as the privatization of ABE. The Premier must stand by her statements and give this the same attention and consideration that was extended to the arguments made by lawyers and judges in reversing some of the budget cuts in the Justice Department.”

Serious concerns raised

The letter contains several concerns and counter arguments to government’s rationale for implementing regressive and ill-advised cuts to CNA. The faculty members also put forward the far reaching implications to our education system, our communities and the province as a whole. The letter covers a broad range of issues, such as:

concerns with the figures being espoused by government in terms of cost-per student and success rates

differences between the private and public college system

accessibility for rural and remote learners and

potential increased costs to government and students.

Government must review cuts and layoffs.

NAPE/NUPGE is renewing its call for the government to conduct reviews of the cuts in departments and agencies, including CNA, that were affected by budget cuts and layoffs. The union is also calling on the government to suspend all remaining layoffs until these reviews are complete.

The National Union of Public and General Employees (NUPGE) is one of Canada's largest labour organizations with over 340,000 members. Our mission is to improve the lives of working families and to build a stronger Canada by ensuring our common wealth is used for the common good. NUPGE